City of Greater Bendigo proposes $28 increase to parking fine in 2019-20

The council proposes to up the $55 fine for those who fail to pay for a ticket, or overstay the allotted time, by $28 in the 2019-20 financial year.

Mayor Margaret O'Rourke says increasing parking fines to half a penalty unit will bring the city in line with many other comparable regional shires.

"We hope the new increase could help to change the behaviour of drivers who do not abide by parking rules. We know that around a third are repeat offenders," Cr O'Rourke says.

"If drivers follow the parking rules, they won't get a fine and it will free up more parking spaces for everyone else."

The increased fine features in the city's draft budget for the upcoming financial year, which is set to be tabled at this evening's council meeting.

The city expects to make $27,000 more in parking fines in the 2019-20 financial year.

Parking is estimated to bring in about $366,000.

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Although the city is seeking to raise parking fines, it said the cost of parking would stay the same.

Cr O'Rourke says the money raised from increasing parking fines will help pay for new parking technology such as credit card facilities and pay by app options.

"The revenue raised from these fines also allows us to keep parking fees at the same rate as last year," she says.

The same fines increased by $5 in the 2018-19 financial year, and $5 the year prior.

It remained steady in the 2016-17 budget, at $45.

A penalty unit will be valued at $165.22 in the 2019-20 financial year, as determined by the Department of Treasury and Finance.

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The draft budget will be available for comment from April 18 - May 17, should it receive the council's endorsement this evening.

Submissions would be open online at bendigo.vic.gov.au/budget until close of business on May 17.

Residents could also request to have their submission heard during a meeting at the council's main offices on Lyttleton Terrace from 5.30pm on May 22.

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